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{
    "id": 1065210,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1065210/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 171,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Poghisio",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 202,
        "legal_name": "Samuel Losuron Poghisio",
        "slug": "samuel-poghisio"
    },
    "content": "and to ensure that every vote that is cast by a citizen counts. This provision is set out in clauses seven, eight, nine, 10 and 11 of this Bill. The intention to amend Chapter Eight of the Constitution, 2010 on the Legislature to remodel the Parliamentary System by including the Government in the National Assembly and to enhance the oversight powers of the Houses of Parliament, it is proposed that the Executive will be represented in the National Assembly by a Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the Attorney- General. The office of the Leader of Opposition is created or established by this amendment. The existing disqualifications for Members of the County Assembly from being qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament are now removed. The Bill further proposes to expand the composition of Parliament to give effect to gender equity and also equality of the vote principles. This provision is set out in clauses 12 up to 21 of this Bill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, to amend Chapter Nine of the Constitution on the Executive and to broaden the Executive structures to achieve inclusivity is one of the other intentions of this amendment Bill. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020 talks about cohesiveness and unity as the benefit of the people. This Chapter introduces the Office of the Prime Minister and two Deputy Prime Ministers with leadership roles in the Executive and in Parliament. It also provides that Cabinet Ministers may be appointed from among Members of the National Assembly. This provision is set out in clauses 22 up 36 of the Bill. We all know that this is not new in this country. Those of us who have been in Parliament before, from independence all the way to the Tenth Parliament, know that it used to be that Ministers came from Parliament. It would be good to note that the Parliamentary System allows Members to interact directly with the Government. It is not like this moment where we have found ourselves trying to shuttle between here and Government offices in search of information. We always found that to be very useful. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020 also intends to amend Chapter 10 of the Constitution on the Judiciary to provide for more transparency in the judicial processes. The proposed amendments provide for the finality of the decisions of the Court of Appeal in petitions concerning an election and limits the tenure of the President of the Court of Appeal and High Court to five years. The amendments further provide for the tenure of the Deputy Chief Justice and aligns it with that of the Chief Justice. This Bill, therefore, further seeks to introduce the Judiciary Ombudsman as a non- voting member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). This provision is found in clauses 37 to 44 of the Bill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, further, the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020 intends to amend Chapter 11 of the Constitution on the Devolved Government to provide for further clarity on the nomination of members of the county assembly, and powers of the county governor. This provision is set out in clauses 45 up to 48 of this Bill. The Bill further intends to amend Chapter 12 of the Constitution on Public Finance to streamline various finance principles and processes to promote efficiency and ensure expenditures are directed to maximize utility. The proposal promotes the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}